Wipro's innovative approach to R&D

By K. T. Jagannathan

CHENNAI, AUG. 1. Infotech major Wipro, which lays much store by six sigma process, has embarked upon a brand new initiative to put in place a system that will devise a `structured approach' to innovation and research and development (R&D).

The objective of the exercise is to facilitate generation of more ideas within the organisation and prompt people to think more creatively in terms of business-result situation.

According to Mr. Azim Premji, Chairman of Wipro, ``the innovation initiative'' is at an embryonic stage and hence a ``bit early to talk''.

Nevertheless, Wipro has already commenced work on this fresh endeavour. ``We are in the first phase of innovation initiative,'' says Mr. Premji. Primarily this phase involves defining the system, identification of projects and prioritising them. Each project - nay themes as Mr. Premji will like to call them, will be headed by a business leader. Wipro has already put together teams for varied themes. These teams are now doing market evaluation. ``The innovation initiative is different from six sigma,'' he says. Nevertheless, the six sigma initiative has provided Wipro the foundation for its latest endeavour on innovation.

Wipro will solicit the assistance of an external consultant to help in its `innovation initiative''. ``We generally do that,'' Mr. Premji says.

The `innovation initiative' is primarily the result of Wipro's keenness to put in place a process akin to six sigma on the R&D front so as to ensure that money spend is well-directed and bears fruit in the end to the company.

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